April 17, 2012

Photo Gallery

AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas proudly presents Longhorn Honors: Women's Athletics, hosted at Bass Concert Hall, Texas Performing Arts Center on Monday, April 23 at 7 p.m.

This year marks the 38th annual awards presentation for intercollegiate women's athletics at Texas. However, for the first time in 2012, Longhorn Network is set to televise the one-hour program live. LHN's Lowell Galindo and Samantha Steele will share host duties.

"Longhorn Network is honored to be part of such a special night for women's athletics," said Stephanie Druley, LHN's vice president over production. "The awards show is a unique event that all Texas fans should enjoy."

The presentation honors the athletic excellence of the 2011-12 student-athletes and teams. It also features seven "Awards of the Highest Honor," including Longhorn Team of the Year, Longhorn Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Rookie Performance.

In addition, four awards will be presented with no nominees. The Coca-Cola Solid Citizen Award is given to a female student-athlete for outstanding community service and volunteerism. The Jamie Carey Comeback Award is bestowed to a female student-athlete who has battled through adversity to return to competition.

The Jill Sterkel Leadership Award is presented to a student-athlete who exhibits supreme leadership, competitiveness and graciousness. The Beverly Kearney Texas Tough Award distinguishes a student-athlete who possess a fighter's spirit and courageous heart that mirrors the award's namesake.

The program begins promptly at 7 p.m., but doors open at 5:15 p.m. for a hors d'oeuvres buffet. Tickets for food service and the program are $35 and can be reserved by calling (512) 471-6340. Anyone is welcome to attend the program only free of charge.

Attire is business/evening wear. Bass Concert Hall is located directly north of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium at 2350 Robert Dedman Drive. Parking is available in the Manor Parking Garage at 2017 Robert Dedman Drive.

2011-12 Awards of Highest Honor nominees

Team of the Year

• Indoor Track and Field (2011-12 season)
  The Longhorns placed fourth at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships with 25 points. A total of 10 athletes earned All-America honors at the national meet for the Longhorns, who also claimed second place at the Big 12 Indoor Championships.

• Volleyball (2011 season)
  The Longhorns advanced to the NCAA Regional finals for the sixth-straight year, before falling to eventual national champion UCLA. With a 15-1 league record, the Longhorns won the Big 12 title and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. UT finished 25-5 overall and was ranked fourth in both of the final national polls.

• Rowing (2011 season)
  The Longhorns were victorious in all five of their races to win the Big 12 Championship for the third-straight season. UT also swept all of its races to claim the Conference USA Championship with 48 points.

Athlete of the Year

• Rachael Adams, Volleyball (2011)
  The senior middle blocker earned first-team All-America honors by the AVCA and Volleyball Magazine. She was named to the NCAA Lexington All-Regional Team, the AVCA All-Central Region First Team and the All-Big 12 First Team. Adams ranked 13th nationally in hitting percentage (.388) and concluded her four-year career ranked first in UT history in career hitting percentage (.437).

• Karlee Bispo, Swimming (2011-12)
  Bispo claimed seven All-America honors and finished as the seventh-highest individual scorer at the 2012 NCAA Championships with 47 points. She tallied seven top-eight finishes, including second place in the 200 freestyle. Bispo broke three school records during the national meet.

• Aeriel Ellis, Tennis (2011)
  Ellis reached the Round of 16 in the 2011 NCAA singles draw to become UT's first ITA All-American since Janet Walker in 2000. She posted a 29-15 overall singles record and also earned All-Big 12 singles honors.

• Amy Hooks, Softball (2011)
  Hooks became UT's first position player to win Big 12 Player of the Year honors after hitting .333 on the season with 13 home runs, 36 RBI and 32 runs scored. Hooks' 36 career home runs rank first in UT history, and she also ranks among the top six in five other categories.

• Allison Peter, Indoor Track (2012)
  Peter was integral to the Longhorns' fourth-place team finish with her second-place showing in the 200-meters at the NCAA Indoor meet. Her time of 22.95 was the fastest of her career, and the two-time All-American also ran the fastest leg on UT's 4x400 meter relay squad that finished second at the NCAA Indoor meet.

• Madison Pressel, Golf (2011)
  Pressel was named the Big 12 Women's Golfer of the Year after claiming medalist honors at the conference championship, where the Longhorns also won their first team title since 2004. Pressel's 54-hole score and second-round 66 set Big 12 Championship records.

• Jennifer VanderMaarel, Rowing (2011)
  She became just the third All-American in program history and first since 2004 with her recognition on the Pocock All-America Second Team, selected by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA). As team captain, VanderMaarel led UT to its third-straight Big 12 Conference title. She also was named Conference USA Rowing Athlete of the Year as the Longhorns won the C-USA team championship.

• Bailey Webster, Volleyball (2011)
  The Big 12 Player of the Year and first-team All-American averaged 2.9 kills per set while hitting .340. In UT's final 22 matches, Webster averaged more than 3.0 kills per set while hitting .370, and she was named to the NCAA Lexington All-Regional Team.

Outstanding Rookie Performance

• Sydney Boyes, Rowing (2011)
  The freshman from Canada rowed with the first varsity eight boat for first-place finishes at the Big 12 Championship and Conference USA Championship. Boyes, the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year, also represented Canada in the lightweight pair at the Under 23 World Rowing Championship last July.

• Shanay Briscoe, Outdoor Track and Field (2011)
  Briscoe placed third in the high jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 6-0. With her win at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, Briscoe became just the second freshman in league history to win both the indoor and outdoor titles, joining former Longhorn Destinee Hooker.

• Haley Eckerman, Volleyball (2011)
  She was named National Freshman of the Year by both the AVCA and Volleyball Magazine. Eckerman led UT with 3.56 kills and 4.0 points per set. The All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 Freshman of the Year selection also earned second-team All-America honors by the AVCA.

• Taylor Thom, Softball (2011)
  The Big 12 Freshman of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection led the league in hitting during Big 12 games with her .444 average. Thom also led UT with 24 hits, 12 runs scored, 10 RBI and six stolen bases during league play. She posted a .352 average with 11 home runs and 41 RBI on the season.